Reviews

About This Game

Race, crash and hoon your way through a world tour of motorised mayhem in DiRT Showdown! Crowd atmosphere, social gameplay and accessibility are all ramped up in this turbo- injected shot of driving delirium. Smash down the accelerator and earn the adulation of frenzied crowds at hyper-energised events at iconic locations. Trick, speed and smash your way to victory, then do it again.
Use boost to blast past your rivals in races, unleash your inner hoonigan in huge freestyle, free-roaming stunt parks and see gaming’s most advanced damage engine pushed to its limits in devastating demolition derby events. DiRT Showdown is also Codemasters’ most connected game ever - split-screen multiplayer, 8 player online racing, on and off-line quick-fire party games, Showdown challenges and YouTube integration all come as standard. Get your ticket for this stunning new world of accessible action-sports racing from the makers of the award-winning DiRT series.

Key Features:

Experience a new world of full impact, no-holds-barred action sports racing

Push pedal to metal at iconic locations– Miami to London, San Francisco to Tokyo and more

Wow the crowds at unsanctioned, hyper-energised events with a festival vibe

Dirt Showdown is in my opinion a bit underrated and really misunderstood by some people. They consider the game as the successor of Dirt 3. However, Showdown is more a spinoff, that has nothing to do with the other Dirt games besides the 'Dirt' name. That being sad, I think this game is really good in what is does. Just mindless 'demolition derby like' fun. The car handling is just right for this type of game in my opinion. It also has great graphics and sound. There's single player with a career mode, wich will keep you busy for a while. It has enough variety with many different gamemodes. And then there's another SP mode, called Joyride, were you have to complete a series of tricks and collect all the Showdown logo's. Well, if you want those achievements at least :) But the game really shines in multiplayer. Unfortunately, the MP isn't really active anymore. Often you find yourself in an empty lobby. The best idea is to look on the forum for people to play with. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend the game just for MP. But like I said, there's enough fun to be had in SP alone.

(Before you destroy me for recommending this game because "It's not DiRT", let me quote the steam store info Codemasters provided since this game's announcement in the end of 2011: IT'S A SPIN-OFF!)

Anyways, onwards!

Some of you may (others may not) know that I absolutely love racing games! My problem is I have a bit of OCD towards the genre. If it isn't exactly what or how I want it, I don't like it.

And Dirt Showdown got my interest, though not much because I played pretty much all racers since 2004's Burnout 3: Takedown, which is the masterpiece of racing games. That perfect title that never leaves your memories. It had stellar graphics, perfect controls with perfect responsiveness. Also has the best soundtrack of all time of any game or movie, ever! Car variety was huge! Campaign was huge as well! Replayability was huge! Menus were super slick and everything about it was just pixel perfect! One of the best games of all time and I still have the whole soundtrack on my phone :D

Anyways, and those racers since 2004 never gave me that spark again for the racing genre. My reaction were always "Ugh, wtf is this sh*t?" or "Meh..." and I proceeded with the uninstall process.

But I got in a trade with a friend Dirt Showdown because it was being given away alongside the pre-order of GRID Autosport and I couldn't really let this slip by my fingers.

I installed as soon as I got it and started playing.

You have no. Damn. Idea. Of the levels of joy I had when this brought me fond (VERY fond) memories of that 2004 classic game you should know by now. It's like a Burnout 3: Takedown 2! Everything I needed was there! The fantastic graphics, the absolutely AMAZING Soundtrack, the perfectly responsive controls, the car variety and level variety. It even has an announcer like 2004's B3 and this one is also really good! He keeps throwing little jokes, funny puns, etc. It's really cool! It really is!

And after 22 hours of 100%'ing the whole game. [Campaign: Everything gold. Joyrides (2 Open World maps for you to complete missions in and also find all the 100 hidden collectibles): all 150 missions done and all 100 Hidden Packages found (which reward you with something if you find'em all (not saying what, of course!)) and level 12 in Multiplayer Sessions] I can safely say this is the best racing game and the best racing game experience I've had in the last decade! (That's 10 years!!!!!).

Modes are also very unique, it's not just racing like most borefests of racers. You have regular racing, domination (get the best time in certain track portions), 8-balls (super fun variation of the regular racing mode), ram rage (destroy and wreck ♥♥♥♥ up! (Demolition Derby, pretty much) King of the Hill (knock all cars out of the podium), Head 2 Head (Gymkhana competition between oponents (whether it's 2 or more people or 2 teams). Smash and grab (get a bag full of loot and hold it (avoid getting hit) for as much as possible to get as much points as possible to win). Capture the Flag (FFA or Team based), etc.!

I don't think I have anything else to say do I? I already said it. Great graphics, great level variety (different weather conditions as well!), top notch of perfection soundtrack! (Also on my phone), great announcer, super slick and responsive controls. Loading screens are very short and this game is a PERFECT PC VERSION! Everything it needs, it's there! Controls are great (though, of course, controller's always better), benchmark tool! Wide range of options to tweak for weaker PC's to be able to run this game well! (Which I believe pretty much any PC can! I tried this on my regular PC, can play 60 FPS "almost" maxed out no problems. And I tried on my older PC (quite weak) with a 2.4 GHz Dual Core and an AMD Radeon HD 3650 (Mobile version (yes, a laptop)) and it ran really smooth at 50-60 FPS, though I had to tweak most stuff to low and others to medium, obviously.)

Oh yeah! Problems with the game: Campaign (called the "Showdown Tour") is REALLY short. I finished it in 10 hours with everything gold (1st place). I wanted at least 20 hours! But the multiplayer's there to make up for it. Sadly, the MP's pretty dead. I can (and so should you be able to) find occasionally some MP matches to play in and I can say it's one of the best and most fun MP experiences I've ever had the pleasure of trying! It's so varied and fun! Lots of modes to play (around 8, I think) and all are unique and fun to do!

Campaign's short but the JoyRides are also there to make up for it (1st place Gold in every campaign level and 100%'ing all missions and getting all hidden packages in both JoyRide maps took me between 17 and 18 hours of pure adrenaline running, head shaking, song-humming fun!

I can't recommend this enough! And at it's current price on steam of 19,99€, there's no reason for you to not get it! If you still don't know about it, it's easy! Try the free demo on steam! The game also goes on sale quite often, when other Codemasters games are on sale too. So, grab it and come wreck stuff in MP with me! :D

Oh you want a score? Ok fine. 22 hours of quality, no problems except the fact that it's too short the SP campaign (and even then, it's not much of an "issue") But even then, the game wasn't the classic rip-off 50€ full retail price. It was cutback to the more reasonable and accessible 39,99€. They knew this SPIN-OFF (it's a SPIN-OFF, not "This shouldn't have Dirt in the name") was a smaller and more digestive experience, so it's commendable for them to reduce the pricetag. So the smaller length's is proportional to the price. Think of Alan Wake and it's Spin-Off: American Nightmare. It's kinda like that!

10/10. One of the VERY few games I've played in my life that deserve a perfect score. Enough said. Have a great day!

DiRT Showdown is a more accessible entry in the series than other DiRT games, but still a most enjoyable experience. You can play in events varying from races to destruction derbies and sumo wrestling for vehicles. (I'm serious)

It's a little less realistic than the other games in the series, but you know, I'm totally fine with this. It's clearly meant to be a spin-off from the series, and isn't really connected to DiRT 3 for example. Although, if that's what you want, then I wouldn't recommend it. There's a greater focus on aggresive driving and smashing up opponents, rather than clean rally driving.

I'm personally having a lot of fun with the Rampage event where you smash the hell out of every other car in the arena, but the races are a lot of fun too. I recommend you gives this game a try, DiRT fan or not!

My only minor complaints is the lack of cockpit camera and the lack of ability to import your own music to the game.

DiRT: Showdown is a demolition derby game. It's not trying to be "Colin McRae-ish" like the previous DiRT titles. It's arcady, it's demolition derby focused and it's just pure fun.

Sure, Showdown isn't what we expected from a DiRT title but it just might be the most fun DiRT game out there.None of the DiRT games really live up to the good old Colin McRae Rally games. The rally races are short...and just lacking in every kind of aspect. The driving in the DiRT games is good. So are the physix...but everything else...nah.So along comes Showdown and it shocked us all with the new and daring direction it took. I'm happy with the direction Showdown took. It's simple but fun. Can be challenging in multiplayer too. The multiplayer isn't too crowded tho. Might be kinda hard to find matches but the singleplayer campaign and the sandbox "challenge" levels are worth the full price themselves.

Either you're looking for an arcady racing game, demoliton derby or a combat racer (Carmageddon etc), DiRT: Showdown might be just what you're looking for. Guaranteed to satisfy you!

SIDENOTE: If demoltion derby isn't enough to satisfy your bloodlust then check out Road Redemption and the new Carmageddon on Steam. Both are still in early access but both also look very promising!

I loved playing through this game. I've not played through the joyride mode on the pc version yet. But i've got 1000/1000 on the 360 version so thats a testiment as to how good this game is considering i don't normally finish a good portion of my games. The demolition events are the best thing though. Its reminiscent of Destruction Derby.

This game is not Dirt! There is nothing here that resembles the old Dirt Series we all love. It's not like the old Dirt Series but rather something different. SO DON'T PUT THIS GAME IN THE DIRT FRANCHISE! This game is fun though. I'll give this a 7/10.

Had it for 2 years now. Great game - loved it. Works well, good rallying and has loads of other game modes. If you're looking for a serious rally game, this is not for you. Other problems include occasional lag, Annoying commentator(ok thats subjective) and lack of tracks. Despite this, its fun and friendly and will mostly satisfy your gaming needs. 8/10

It's not a sequel to any of the other Dirt games, just a spin- off. Dirt Showdown is one of those games you play at the weekend, sometimes. If there's nothing else to play. Good to play with friends and just 'okay' to play on your own. It seems rushed, due to a alot of repeat tracks from previous Dirt games, of which the developers have just added a few ramps and tyres to. There's a fair variety of things to do in the game though, ranging from Destruction Derby, to races and then Gymkhana (where you do donuts and jumps etc). You will have to play all these types of modes as in career mode you are made to in a random order. So one second you're told to 'put your foot down and plow in to your opponents' and then told 'don't scratch your car or you lose your points'. The AI has rubberbanding or 'catch- up' which is also easily noticeable online, considering me and my mates were laughing at how slow your car suddenly go if your quite far ahead in 1st place, when the guy in last would be given an uncontrollable amount of speed boost. Having said that, in Destruction arena's or 'knockout' this doesn't happen because all you have to do is wreck opponents and earn points for hits.

Likes about the game:Destuction modes- 8 Ball style tracks, knockout and derby's, which are intense and a good laugh.Graphics- Apart from the crowd, graphics are as good as always from Codemasters. So shiny as well. Cars- I like the cars that you are given, you get different ones for the different game types. Some are made up, some are real. Depends what mode you are playingMenu's- BIG, BOLD, LOUD. NICE.Car Handling- Easy to get used to, which is right for this type of gameParty modes- For online, like capture the flag and smash and grab.

Dislikes:Announcer guy- He needs to shush. Plus, you can't mute him. Says stupid things which aren't funnyAI rubber banding/ catch up for online- Kills any point of skill. It kills skills.Repeat tracks - 'I saw that track from Dirt 2.......aaaaaand Dirt 3Opponent amount- Only 8 players. Come on, they could of at least done 12 which they did for the game GRID. Online ranking- Takes forever...mainly because no-one plays online anymore and you need a full lobby to get a good amount of levelling up points. Gymkhana- There's only a certain amount of times you can do jumps, donuts and drifts till it gets repetitive.

I recommend only if you like arcade racers and don't mind getting smashed up by others.6.5 (maybe a 7)/10

Dirt is one of my favorite racing games. I am happy to play because this game is not boring compared to other racing game series. nice carrier mode, the UI is very interesting, split screen, Great Graphic and can be played at a low spec PC. You should have this game, racing game lovers!

Pros:- Nice carrier mode. (lots of exciting gameplay)- A hit among car-crashing- Split screen- Great Graphic and can be played at a low spec PC.

Cons:- Car crusher which is not so attractive- Can not paint a car that has been purchased, (just choose paint-owned sponsor)

This is a great racing game for fans that want more of an arcade-experience than a realistic one. Now, in my honest opinion, DiRT 3 is much better. Showdown just feels like a watered-down version of 3 in terms of car physics, destruction and length of the 'career'.Having said this, though, it's quite an enjoyable game. Rampage, Knock-Out and 8-Ball are really enjoyable race-types where wrecking other cars is key to winning. Unfortunately, this is let down by the level of destruction achieved. A bit of shattered glass and some dents to your vehicle just don't seem enough. If this damage to your vehicle actually affected your car's performance (other than a missing wheel which WILL affect sterring), the game would be even more amazing.But it's not. It's a fun game though, so I would recommend it, just not if you're looking for something a bit more 'authentic'. If so, get DiRT 3!Enjoy!

I love my driving games. really like them and this is great because its not super realistic. just a good smash and bash game. the gymkana drifting type events arent as hard as dirt 3 but are challenging. great gameplay. hours of fun.

When most people hear DiRT, or any Codemasters game really, they usually think of simulators even though this assumption is incorrect, despite it's popularity. So with DiRT Showdown, Codemasters decided to take an arcadey route.

Fanboys typically complain about a game when anything is changed these days, even when it's blatantly a spin-off. This is a very underrated title that is hated simply for being different and not what the DiRT series is known for. It's good for what it is, and it's recommended if you like arcadey racers.

It goes without saying though that if you want to get into the sim-arcade market, DiRT 3 is the way to go for now. Otherwise get that RBR CD ready.